Give Back While Traveling with These Incredible Voluntouring Airbnb Experiences ♻️

What is Voluntouring?

Voluntouring (volunteering and tourism) is a travel trend where tourists partake in voluntary work that gives back to the local communities they visit. Some examples of voluntouring is taking part in a beach cleanup, providing food for impoverished communities, and animal conservation efforts.

Recommended Voluntouring Experiences

Since 2017, Airbnb has worked with nonprofits to promote their social causes where 100% profits made go to their social projects, waiving any booking fees. Below, we have found several Airbnb experiences we recommend that give back to communities around the globe. We've selected these activities based on positive ratings and great missions.

Paddle with Penguins in Cape Town, South Africa

Join a qualified Marine Conservationist on a two-hour paddle out to sea off the coast of Cape Town. On your journey, you'll have the opportunity to see and learn about penguins, seals, and other wild sea creatures that inhabit this body of water. The best part, the $20 you spend on this experience goes directly to AfriOceans Conservation Alliance, that offers Marine Environmental Education to promote Marine Conservation.

Help Fight Food Insecurity in New York City

On your trip to the 'Big Apple', volunteer at a local churches, food kitchens, and other NYC facilities compliant with the city's laws—restocking pantries, cooking, meal kitting, and serving/delivering food to those in need. This experience is the most low cost one on the list, it's technically free, however, the Airbnb booking system requires a monetory fee, which is said to be returned to you after showing up for the event. So the only cost is a donation of your time—a truly rewarding experience.

Help Combat Homelessness in Dublin with a Guided Walking Tour

Through this alternative experience, you'll explore the Dublin 7 region of Ireland's capital with a one-hour walking tour that goes over the history of the area where your guide has lived the past decade in, seven of which he was homeless. This tour offers a raw perspective of the homelessness in the city and 100% of the proceeds go to Secret Street Tours, a nonprofit social organization that trains and offers those affected by homelessness a job as walking tour guides.

Snorkeling and Reef Cleanup in Cuba

Spend three hours off the coast of Havana in Bacuranao beach. Here, you'll be safety debriefed and provided with gear to go snorkeling and explore the nearby coral reefs. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to safely clean up trash in the ocean, helping with marine conservation.

Bring Awareness and Help Fight Off Blood Cancer with a Boat Cruise in Long Beach, CA

Cruise through the canals of Naples, California and learn about the history of the area. You'll also have the opportunity to experience great food, beer, and wine on the boat. 100% of the cost is donated to Music Saves Lives who brings awareness and helps with matching blood and bone marrow doners to help those affected by blood cancers and leukemia. Rates start from $305 for an hour-and-a-half tour that can accommodate up to six guests.

Go Plastic Fishing in Amsterdam's Canals

While on the topic of canals, you can cleanup the canals of Amsterdam with this unique sightseeing experience. Though, this experience is currently sold out on Airbnb. You can book an boat tour directly on Plastic Whale's website. Rates start from around ~$30 per person for a two hour boat tour exploring the highlights and history of Amsterdam's canals while fitted with long nets to catch plastic in.

Play with Rescued Dogs on a Beach in Croatia

Spend two and a half hours interacting with dogs rescued off the streets in and near Split, Croatia. Bestie Split is the only non-kill shelter in the Split region and works to save all dogs and rehome them to loving families. This experience is currently sold out on Airbnb experiences but is still worth mentioning and we highly recommend keeping an eye out on availability or donating directly, as 100% of the proceeds go towards rehabilitating the dogs. You still can message the host to see if there's any upcoming availability.

Cuddle with Dogs on the Beaches of Bali

Continuing with the dog rescuing and beach trend, you can spend three hours cuddling and playing with dogs on a beautiful uncrowded beach in Bali. You have the opportunity to help dogs learn social skills and 100% of the proceeds go to the Bali Dog Association, a non profit organization that works to put an end to cruelty and suffering towards stray dogs on the island.

Cook Traditional Moroccan Recipes for Yourself and Those in Need

A two-hour cooking class in Casablanca with a well-rated Airbnb host, who shares her favorite Moroccan recipes with you. You'll have the opportunity to cook for yourself and wrap up additional food to send off to those in need of a warm meal.

Volunteer at an Orphanage in Kenya

On your next visit to Nairobi, Kenya, spend a day volunteering at a local orphanage. You'll spend a selected amount of time cooking and/or serving food to the kids, doing activities with the kids, cleaning the facilities, as well as offering motivational speeches and skills/trades to share. Rates to volunteer start at $40 per person, where the proceeds go to KCOOP, a community based organization registered by the Kenyan government.